Slept pretty well after finishing Susan’s wine! Woken up at 12:33 am by the moon blasting in my face through the porthole window. Turned over and slept until about 5 then just dosed until 6 and got up.

Had breakfast with tea and made a flask of coffee for on route and I was away before 7 heading towards Stockton locks so a nice easy start to the day.

How wrong could I be, 10 big locks straight away.  I did get help in one of them as a lock keeper was checking the water levels and took pity on me and shut the gate behind me.

It seems like it was locks all day with a total of 23 done today mostly on my own, I did get help at one point from a couple who were in a rush and as I had to climb back into the boat after the lock was emptied I just let them go .. I only met him for 15 mins but he really irritated me.

So at the moment I am about half a day ahead of schedule but have found a couple of issues with the boat.  The very difficult steering is caused (I think) by a knackered tiller bearing which I’m guessing is an easy y fix if you have a replacement bearing and probably a puller.

More worryingly there is water in the engine bay either side of the engine.  The water looks clean so I’m hoping it is something to do with the calorifier hot water system leaking.  I’m not too worried I keep telling Susan these things are unsinkable?

So here I am again moored up early,  probably be asleep by 8 unless I decide to take a walk into town.